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How-To

Ableton User Guide

Using Satellite Sessions in Ableton is super easy. Here is how to get started:

  • Download and install Satellite Sessions from mixedinkey.com/satellite
  • After installation is complete, restart Ableton.
  • The plugins should be in your AU/VST Plugin folder(s). (For Mac users using AU plugins, Satellite Sessions will be in the Mixed In Key AU folder)

  • Add Satellite Sessions to a new, blank MIDI channel.

    • Create New Session


  • Enter a name for the Session.
  • You will be prompted to enter the Key and Scale of your project. Leave blank if undecided.
  • Changes to the bpm or sample rate in your project will generate a Sync button in Satellite Sessions. Click ‘Sync’ to continue.
  • You are the Host of the session. Click ‘Invite’ to invite collaborators.

    • Join a Session


  • Enter the Session Invitation Code (provided by the session host) to access the Session.
  • Any pre-shared audio stems will be visible and audible in your Satellite Sessions plugin.
  • Press Play in Ableton to play the stems inside Satellite Sessions. They do not need to be downloaded to Ableton to be heard, and only you can hear what you are listening to.
  • If you wish, download any stems in the Session to your Ableton project by dragging the top-right corner of each stem to a spare audio channel.

    • Session Dashboard


  • Access and load your previous sessions here.
  • Access your invitation history.

    • Capturing Audio


  • Add Satellite Audio to any channel you wish to share. This includes MIDI Instrument channels, sub-mix and Group channels, and Send/Return FX channels.

    • PRO TIP: Satellite Audio auto-names channels Stem 1, Stem 2 etc. Rename each channel as you go, so you know which channel is which in Satellite Sessions.

    PRO TIP: Satellite Audio captures any audio up to the point in the insert chain that Satellite Audio is located. That means it will capture the audio after processing by compressors, EQs, effect plugins etc if Satellite Audio is placed after such plugins. To capture the dry signal, place Satellite Audio before any processing plugins.

  • Press play in Ableton.
  • Any Satellite Audio-enabled channel will now capture and upload their audio direct to Satellite Sessions in sync with Ableton’s playhead.
  • You can trigger MIDI Instruments or audio samples, or play live into your Satellite Audio-enabled channel(s).

    • Sharing Audio


  • Anyone in your Session can now listen to, or download, all stems in the Session.

    • Ableton Troubleshooting/FAQ


    My plugins aren’t showing up. Go to Ableton’s Preferences menu, select the Plugins tab (File/Folder in some versions) and ensure your VST2 System Folder is set to the following locations:

    Mac

    Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST

    Windows

    32-bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\Vstplugins

    64-bit: C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins

    Stems are out of time when downloaded to Ableton. Disable Auto-Warp long samples in Ableton Preferences and download again. External Instruments do not record into Satellite Sessions. Set Monitoring to ‘In’.